St Andrews Beach

St Andrews Beach Golf Club was my first experience of golf in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and was certainly memorable. Located around one and a half hours from Melbourne, the club is located in “the Cups” region and is not far from Gunnamatta Beach.

This was the second game on my 2011 Melbourne Christmas trip and I was playing with a work colleague James. He had managed to get up a couple of days earlier playing his home club at Yering Meadows, so this was my chance to even things up.

Entrance to St Andrews Beach Golf Course

Upon arriving at the club you are left a little disappointed, the clubhouse is described as rustic, but looks like a temporary structure built as an afterthought. On top of this there is only a small green which can be used for chipping (banned by my 2015 visit) and putting to warm up, so on a busy day this could be a big issue. The staff were extremely friendly so this negated this issue slightly, but the course certainly made up for it.

The course was built in 2004 and was Tom Doaks first work in Australia, done in conjunction with Michael Clayton. Having played Barnbougle Dunes a month earlier, I could definitely spot the similarities between the two. St Andrews Beach has extremely wide sweeping fairways with the holes blending in within their environment. There is a minimalist design here, with open spaces and little trees or scrub interfering with play. The bunkers blend in with course and have the look that nature had created them.

The clubhouse at St Andrews Beach golf course

St Andrews Beach started out as a private only club, but ran into financial trouble around 2009. This meant the course was left neglected and deteriorated quite badly. It is now under new ownership with the course being brought back to its original condition.

Map of St Andrews Beach golf course

Scorecard for St Andrews Beach

Hole 1 – 452 meter par 5

From the start you are presented with some great views of the area from the elevated tee.  This par 5 is not overly long at 452 meters, taking into account the raised tee shot, but if the wind is blowing it is a genuine 3 shots to reach the green.  You have ample room for mistakes on your first drive for the day, so Tiger Woods would love it. One criticism of this hole would be the blind shot to the green for most peoples approach.  This slows the game down quite a bit especially on a busy day as you can’t see when the green is clear.

Playing partner James putting on the second green

The second hole is a short par 4 measuring 262 meters.  Great risk and reward for the start of the round with this green being a drive away, but there is the chance of finding the large bunker system to the left or not carrying the one on the right hand side of the fairway.

Hole 3 – 364 meter par 4

This mid length par 4, has a dogleg left.  With a bit of left to right shape some extra distance can be gained, but don’t take on too much of the hill on the right side.  The approach is to what looks like a hidden valley, with the green nestled in between.  Quite eye catching the view in, but be a little wayward and you will find trouble.

Hole 4 – 184 meter par 3

This par 3 is long at 184 meters and exposed to the elements.  The tee is slightly raised, with the green even more so, leaving a lot of carry in between, most of which you would want to avoid.  There is a large area to layup in front, but too much to either side will find either sand or the ball rolling away down the hill.

Hole 6 – 125 meter par 3

This is a short par 3 but is not as easy as it looks.  A small carry over scrub, then a gully with bunkers and waste to the right. The front of the green slopes away dramatically, so any ball not quite reaching will end up 10 or more meters away. The green has large slopes which will affect those hitting the green in the wrong portion.

Hole 9 – 327 meter par 4

St Andrews Beach golf course is a continuous loop, with the return to the clubhouse not occurring until the 18th hole. To finish the front you have a hole playing over a hill, which is possible to drive, then gully beyond.  In this is a bunker which is reachable for longer hitters.

The 9th green is severely sloping

The approach to the green is up a steep slope with anything short running back down the hill. The putting surface also has some large contours.

Hole 13 – 426 meter par 4 – Approach to the 13th green

The longest and hardest par 4 on the course. A blind tee shot over a large hill makes you guess what is the best line.  A maker is present but not always accurate, depending on the tee position. To the right is a large slope away from the fairway. The approach has two large bunkers to contend with on the right. Landing in these leaves a difficult shot to the green. The putting surface sits in a bowl, with the exception of the front which slopes away.

Hole 16 – 182 meter par 3 – Playing partner Mike playing his tee shot

A long par 3 which plays down hill. Bunkers are on either side of the hole, with a swale just short of the green.  Into the wind this is a monster.

Double bunkers protect right side of 16th green

One of the key things that always catch me, the double bunker. Not found too often but tricky when you do find the outside bunker. Nothing worse than playing from one sand pit to another.

The left side has a very deep bunker as James found out

One of the deepest bunkers on the course is still some distance to the putting surface.  Getting it anywhere near the pin from here deserves a shout from your playing partners.

Hole 17 – 430 meter par 5

The shortest and easiest par 5 on the course, there are only two, plays from an elevated tee. Hitting the fairway will leave a second shot to the rolling slopes which increase the closer we get to the hole.

Typical of the rolling fairways  are seen looking back along 17

This large green has slopes leading away on the surrounds, with a it of undulation in the green.

Hole 18 – 373 meter par 4 – Playing partner Terry teeing off on 18

The eighteenth tee plays to a wide fairway scattered with bunkers. Shortest line is down the right but brings into play heavy grass.

View from the fairway on the 18th

If there is a headwind you will have along shot to this green, which is heavily protected by sand traps. The green is quite large with gentle slopes. A par earned here is well deserved.

St Andrews Beach is a good course, as most are in the Mornington Peninsula, failing to find any bad ones as yet. Considering the financial situation the club has gone through it is in great condition, tees, fairways and greens well looked after.  There is also a bit of strategy required on a lot of holes, which makes the game more interesting.

How to play St Andrews Beach:

The course is open to the public 7 days a week, so you need to contact the pro shop or book a tee time on-line.